Severe Weather

Preparations under way for winter storm

The huge winter storm bearing down on the state Wednesday evening is expected to cause travel problems across the state.

At Portland Public Works, plow drivers said they would be laying salt and sand late Wednesday night and early Thursday in hopes of keeping the roads safe for the morning commute.

More than 35 trucks will be on the city's streets and roads during the storm.

Preparations were also under way at the Maine Turnpike Authority on Wednesday. Spokesman Dan Morin said crews are doing everything they can to keep things safe for drivers.

"What we do urge people to do is leave earlier, drive appropriate speeds for the conditions, leave enough distance between cars so you can stop appropriately, and most of all, be careful on the ramps and interchanges. Those freeze up quicker as well as the bridges. That can cause some problems," said Morin.

The travel problems have already arrived for travelers at the Portland Jetport.

Marcia Hart and her husband have been traveling from airport to airport, dealing with delays."We've been in the airport for about 10 hours 'cause our flight from the Midwest was delayed coming in, so we didn't have a plane, so we got delayed from both ends of the storm," said Hart.

Several flights were canceled at the Jetport Wednesday evening and more cancellations are expected for Thursday.